Drug Awareness

Step Two

Gathering, Sorting and Sifting
Print Information 

Understanding the Issues

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

The United States is not unique nor alone in attempts to recognize, confront, and control drug abuse problems. Worldwide drug abuse effects everyone and every facet of our lives.

The social and economic consequences of drug abuse are many. From families who feel the effect through financial problems and taxes, to time lost at work, to special educational programs for children, to crime and violence in a neighborhood, the entire community feels the effects of drug abuse. Even if you and your family have never used or abused drugs, you are co-dependents of drug abusers.

Individual states do not agree on legislation that would regulate the use of drugs or the prosecution of drug related crimes and violence. In particular, the Gateway drug, marijuana, varies from state to state. 

Programs involving educating the public through the media, schools, and rehabilitation programs should be evaluated. The coordination of these programs would enhance their effectiveness in reducing drug abuse in the United States.

Gateway Drugs: Bibliography: 
The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs Series 2. NY: New Haven, Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988.
The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs. NY, New Haven, Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.

Legislation: Bibliography: 
Massing, Michael. The Fix.  New York, NY: Simon & Schuster: 1998.
Eldredge, DC. Ending The War on Drugs.  Bridgehampton, NY: Bridge Works Publishing Company, 1998.

Using Print Resources

For specific information on your topic, nonfiction books and articles from periodicals will be useful. Library collections will vary from  school to school. Use the library catalog and consult with the media specialist to locate books and articles on your specific topic.

1. Locating Nonfiction Books:

Tips for Automated Catalog Searching Within Your School Library

• Start the program by clicking on the appropriate icon, e.g. Library Pro. 
• Follow directions for logging on to the automated catalog, e.g. for Library Pro, select the "Guest" box. 
• It is usually easiest to find information using keyword searching, e.g. in Library Pro, select the "Keyword" icon. 
• Use the call numbers in your results list to find the books on the shelves. 

Online Searching Using the BCPL Online Catalog

• Click on the link at the end of these tips to access the Baltimore County Public Library Wow Web. 
• Once there, click on the Baltimore County Public Library Catalog. 
• Type your topic or keyword in the rectangle next to "Enter Search Terms." Leave the setting on "Keyword" under "Choose search type." Click on the "Enter" button. 
• Scroll down on the next screen to find your results list. Then, click on the highlighted title of any sources in the list that seem appropriate for your topic. 
• Skim the bibliographic entry scrolling down. Deciding if this might be an appropriate resource for your topic, and if so, check to see which branches own the book and have it on the shelves. 
• Call that branch to reserve the book, follow directions on the screen to hold that book using your library card, or visit the branch to pick it up. 
• Click here if you would like to access the Baltimore County Public Library catalog
  

2. Using Periodicals:

Magazine, journal, and newspaper articles are useful sources of current information on a variety of topics. Accessing such articles can be accomplished in several ways. Print indexes such as The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature or SIRS ( Social Issues Resources Service)  are good examples. There are also electronic indexing services on CD-ROM and the Internet. 

Remember to copy all information from the periodical citation accurately: complete author, title, periodical name, date of publication and pages. This will be useful in locating the correct issue as well as in your Works Cited page. 

3. Using the Information File:

Many schools and  public libraries  maintain  Information Files (Vertical Files). These files contain articles, pamphlets and brochures on numerous topics that may be useful in your research.